Robbie Russo named to AHL All-Rookie Team, Second All-Star Team

By @MichaelCaples –

That free-agent signing over the summer keeps looking good for the Wings.

Robbie Russo, a player the Red Wings signed as a free agent out of Notre Dame last offseason, was named to the 2015-16 AHL All-Rookie Team today.

Russo, a NTDP alum who was originally drafted by the Islanders but didn’t sign with the New York NHL club and chose the Wings instead, has posted five goals and 34 assists in 65 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season.

His plus-47 rating leads the AHL, as well, and it’s tied for the highest mark by an AHL player since 1993.

Russo is the third Griffins defenseman to be named to the All-Rookie Team, joining Ryan Sproul (2013-14) and Brendan Smith (2010-11), and seventh Griffin overall.

UPDATE: Russo was also named to the 2015-16 AHL Second All-Star Team Thursday afternoon.